Biceps, Butt, Core, Fitness, Quad, Shoulders

Jordan

August 3, 2013 Kim 31 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that worked my entire body!! I used my stability ball and a pair of 12 pound dumbbells and did a squat with a bicep curl to a shoulder press. Here are the steps:

From the starting position, the right leg will squat while the left leg pushes the ball out to the side.

Stand while pulling left leg back in to body – curl weights and press overhead.

By adding the side leg movement, I was able to get my heart rate up while working on my balance (always good for the core!).

Of course, I couldn’t let my left leg be left out!!!

2 sets of 43 – my shoulders were on fire by the time I finished all those presses!!!

Today was the 3rd and final day of the “Stronger by the Minute” workout this week. I’m enjoying this little 6 week challenge series with Taylor because the idea of repeating the same workout 3 times in a week and trying to improve each time is right up my alley!! I love the self-competition!!!

From the first time completing this week’s workout until today, I improved each time on all 3 circuits – 2 of the circuits I was able to improve by over a full round!!!

The third circuit consists of 4 different burpees (all HARD), with 5 reps of each – as many rounds as possible in 6 minutes. 6 minutes doesn’t seem like much until you spend the entire 6 minutes doing burpees!!!! Today I did 56 burpees in that time!!!

Most of the time when you see Jordan, you see his great smile!!!

My firstborn is fixing to be in high school (and he can drive!) and I could not be more proud of him!!! He is a young man who truly cares about everyone around him!!

Things like school talent shows cause him stress because he feels bad for the kids who perform that really aren’t that good. While his buddies or other kids in the audience are snickering he totally empathizes with the person on stage!! He is the same way when we watch any of the singing/talent shows at home – instead of laughing, he feels bad for them!

He goes out of his way to make sure that everyone around him is happy or content. If there are limited chairs somewhere, he is usually the first to offer his chair. When his friends are trying to decide what to do he is content to let them decide – he is agreeable to just about anything.

Even though he isn’t the guy trying to have his way all the time, he is very much his own person. If you know Jordan personally (or have read my blog for awhile) you know that Jordan wears all white every day!! His standard “uniform” consists of white Nike shorts and white Nike T-shirt (plus white Nikes). I just restocked (in a bigger size) his white wardrobe for next year – took numerous stores and some driving but well worth the time!!! I love the fact that he is unique and content to be different!!!

This summer, Jordan has pretty much taken over cleaning up after every meal. Not because we told him he has to – he just likes it!!! Pretty amazing!

I know that I’m a little biased but I think that Jordan is an incredible young man!! It is truly one of the biggest joys of my life to watch him grow up. I know these next 4 years are going to fly by and I intend to treasure every minute that I can with my sweet boy!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Squats

Real Life vs Vacation Life

August 2, 2013 Kim

I’m being featured over at Jennifer’s blog Wine to Weightlifting today!!! She has a really great blog and does Friday spotlights – check it out if you get a chance!!

Today for my 43 I did squats with my barbell (20 pounds). Instead of just doing a standard squat, I stayed in the squat position the entire time –

From the squat position, I alternated lifting my right leg and holding it up –

I put my right leg down (staying in a squat position still) and lifted my left leg and held it:

I counted a right leg up and left leg up as one rep – my quads were burning (and I was breathing HARD) by the time I finished all 43.

And, today I did something I rarely do – I repeated yesterday’s workout. I’m trying to get in all 3 rounds of Taylor’s weekly challenge after a late start this week. It was HARD today because I’m so sore from yesterday. Pretty sure the combat push-ups are what did it, or maybe the million burpees, or……

Anyway, even being sore, I was able to get more reps in all 3 circuits today. I hope I can increase again when I do the 3rd round tomorrow!

Yesterday was our first day home in almost 2 weeks and it was non-stop!!! Chris had to work – big drill weekend to get ready for.

I got both boys enrolled for the new school year. It is funny here – we have to enroll on-line and then you go up to the school and go through lines to take care of the rest of it. I now officially have a 7th grader and a freshman!!!

Jordan started band camp yesterday and will have that every day from now until school starts (August 13).

We went shopping for Hunter’s school supplies – thankfully we only had to go to Target for everything!!

New shoes for both boys (and I might have gotten another pair of tennis shoes, too!!!).

Orthodontist appointment for Hunter.

Pretty sure that I could do with another vacation!!!

I miss my "office" view!! — I miss my “office” view!!

I guess there is nothing like a day of reality to make you appreciate the peace of vacation even more!!!

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Biceps, Butt, Fitness, Thighs

Even Adults Need a Time-Out Sometimes!!

August 1, 2013 Kim 38 Comments

Today for my 43, I wanted to do something with weights since I haven’t in awhile. I did a bicep curl and plie squat at the same time – basic moves but it felt good!!

I used 12 pound dumbbells and that was a challenge by the last 10 or so!!!

Today I finally did the first round of this week’s challenge workout with Taylor. This one is 3 circuits – as many reps as possible during the time. Circuit 1 – 10 minutes, circuit 2 – 8 minutes and circuit 3 – 6 minutes. It was pretty challenging (especially circuit 3 which was 4 different burpees – 5 reps each for the whole time and yes, 6 minutes is a long time to do nothing but burpees!!!).

Since it is already Thursday and I’m just now starting this week’s workout, I will do it the next 2 days also!! I like to space things better but you do what you have to do!!!

If you have kids, work with kids or read anything about kids then I’m sure you have heard of the “Time-Out” concept. When our boys were younger, we didn’t call it time-out but they did have something similar on occasion.

Last night by the time we got home and unloaded the car, I needed to be put in time-out. I was CRANKY!!!I was tired of being cooped up and ready to not be around anyone (especially my family) for a few minutes!! I know that sounds harsh but give me a break – we just spent 2 straight days in the car for 22 hours!!! Plus, I still had to unpack (cause I hate to leave it – I have issues!) and figure out something for dinner.

I was going to try to get to the grocery store and, of course, Chris wanted to go with me. What?! We just spent the last 2 days together non-stop, I think I will go alone!!! (See, cranky!! Usually I like it when Chris and I run errands together.)

Chris ended up pouring me a glass of wine and running to the store for a few things by himself!!

So, not a true “time-out”but good for everyone. I enjoyed a few minutes to myself and we still had a much healthier dinner than the past few days on the road! Plus, I quit snapping at everyone.

Moral – adults can occasionally benefit from time-outs – usually we even put ourselves in them – just don’t forget the whine/wine!!!

Do you ever feel like you could benefit from a time-out?

Happy Thursday!!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Thighs

Random Thoughts During a Wednesday Morning Drive

July 31, 2013 Kim 48 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that I should be doing much more frequently – the Clam. This move is great for your butt and hips and requires no equipment.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QTG8AOJ9wA’]

Obviously that isn’t me in the video – I just used a video from YouTube because I was too tired last night when we got to the hotel to make a demo. I really did do the move this morning, though – 43 right side and 43 left side.

This is one of those moves that is all about control – it should be a slow movement and even though you might not feel anything for the first few, after about 10 you will definitely feel this one!!!

And, because we are still driving today (only about 8 hours left!!) I didn’t do anything else. I will be ready to get back to my normal workout routine for sure!!

#1 I’m loving the WiFi Hotspot for the long drive – today it is a weak signal and very slow so I’m skipping pictures because it is taking WAY TOO LONG!!

#2 The drive home is going by quicker than the drive to Florida – HOORAY!!!

#3 Traveling is much easier now that the boys are older – they actually sleep some in the car and they are old enough to entertain themselves (even though sometimes that means hours of one of them saying the same thing over & over & over & over & over…..)

#4 I’m ready to start cooking again – looking through recipes and trying new things!!!

#5 Truck drivers aren’t always the most considerate – I can’t count how many times one has pulled out in front of us to pass a truck or 3 and there is really no need other than it is a great way to slow us down!!

#6 I’m glad that the rain and cooler temps that have taken over the midwest for the past week or so didn’t affect us in Florida!!

#7 Sad that I need a blanket in the car!!

#8 Traveling with 3 boys means that sometimes the car stinks!!

#9 Pretty sure next time we go anywhere over an 8-10 hour drive we will FLY!!!

#10 I CAN’T WAIT TO BE HOME!!! As great as our vacation was and as much as I love the beach, there is no place better than home!!!

What are your random thoughts today?

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

A Final Recap

July 30, 2013 Kim 59 Comments

Today’s 43 was nice and easy!!! I worked my obliques with a side crunch.

You can tell that I didn’t even bother with shoes – trying to save time at 5:00am so that I could get ready to begin the long drive home!!!

Of course, I had to do 2 sets of 43 – one on each side!!!

I’m pretty sure that we squeezed every minute out of this vacation that we could!! Now, all that is left is the drive home (22 hours!). Hopefully we can find the last 10 states we need to find all 50 state license plates!

During the past number of days we have all had a great time!! Some of the high-lights:

* Jordan & Hunter and the 2 Page boys logged approximately 150 hours of gaming on their phones/iPads/iPods

* My grandpa went into the hospital the day we arrived in Florida. He had a heart attack and after an EKG, DRs said his heart is only operating at 15%. He won’t have surgery though – too risky at his age (98).

* Chris had a weird allergic reaction – big red welts (like 3 inches in diameter) on both arms plus more on his torso. Thankfully, a trip to minor med, a prescription for a steroid of some sort and he is good as new!!

* Hunter got his first ever ear infection (at age 12!). Saturday he went under water, came up crying because his ear hurt so bad – another trip to the minor med, another prescription and no more swimming for him for the rest of the trip!

* The beach running is really hard on my Achilles!!

* I saw way too much crack on the beach.Not kidding, I saw one lady every single day who walked around in a tiny bikini that only covered about 1/2 her butt – not a good look EVER!!!

* Of course, no beach trip is complete without at least one good Speedo sighting –

yep - totally snapped a picture when he walked by! — yep – totally snapped a picture when he walked by!

* I managed to get 1 (and only 1) picture of all 4 of us the day we dressed up for Daryl’s retirement ceremony.

* There was plenty of time enjoying the beach!!

* Lots of beauty all around!

cool bridge over the bag — cool bridge over the bay

* We enjoyed lots of fun times with some great friends – the Keens who flew in at the beginning of our vacation and the Pages who live in Florida now!

* Our Florida vacation 2013 has been a truly great time full of lots of memories! With the driving (a total of 4 days) and 9 full days in Florida, this trip has been a long break!

* 2 days in the car and we will be more than ready to be back home and back to reality!!!

Where is your favorite vacation destination?
How long do you like to be on vacation?

Happy Tuesday!!

Kim

Day With KT

Jordan

Real Life vs Vacation Life

Even Adults Need a Time-Out Sometimes!!

Random Thoughts During a Wednesday Morning Drive

A Final Recap

Fitness – Food – Fun